HC Deb 10 March 1949 vol 462 c1373
15. Mr. Edelman

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by motor manufacturers in selling to countries which discriminate against British vehicles by means of currency restrictions, he will press for the inclusion of cars, trucks, buses and other motor vehicles in new or renewed trade agreements with those countries.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Harold Wilson)

I shall continue to arrange that the position of motor manufacturers in relation to exports are fully borne in mind in the course of bilateral trade negotiations.

Mr. Edelman

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the increasing redundancy in the motor industry?

Mr. Wilson

We have to judge every trade agreement on the terms offered on both sides, but we always stress the desirability of relaxing import restrictions on the export of British motor cars and other manufactures.

Sir Patrick Hannon

Is the right hon. Gentleman alive to the seriousness of this matter in Birmingham and Coventry, and will he do everything he possibly can to meet the practical suggestion of the hon. Member for West Coventry (Mr. Edelman)?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, Sir, but in every one of these trade discussions we do what we can to open up the market for British cars.